Saturday, February 14, 2009

Valentine's Day, February 14

We were up at 6:30 this morning to get ready to travel a couple of hours south to Son's and Daughter-in-Law's house. Before we left, Hubbie, Mother, and I exchanged Valentine cards.

It was sunny today, but windy-cold. Signs of spring are everywhere, though. The yellow crocus is blooming in our yard, and along the way south, we noticed that certain varieties of trees are budding, and purple clover is in some of the fields.

We arrived at Son's before 11 a.m. and started heating double batches of chicken noodle and 11-bean with ham and Rotel soups. Mother and the other daughter-in-law fixed a tray of deli turkey and ham, and a variety of cheeses. A nephew and wife provided a couple of types of chips with dip. Everyone provided their own favorite soft drinks.

Thirty of us gathered for lunch. I was surprised that most of the family chose the chicken noodle soup over the 11-bean. I figured they'd rather have the spicier soup.

Following lunch, we gathered in the living room to present gifts to the birthday honorees. This month, both Son and Daughter-in-Law celebrated birthdays, as well as Grandson, Granddaughter, and two nephews.

After the gift giving, fifteen-year-old Great-Nephew entertained us in a recital of bluegrass music. He played several numbers, both on fiddle and guitar. We were all appreciative of this very talented family member.

Then we enjoyed chocolate and vanilla cupcakes that Mother had made, with a choice of chocolate, vanilla, and butternut ice creams, provided by one of the daughters-in-law.

Before everyone needed to leave, we gathered in the yard for family group snapshots. By 4 p.m., we were ready to get on the road home. It was great visiting with family in Son and Daughter-in-Law's very pleasant home, and getting to cuddle the newest babies, who are now pulling themselves up in preparation to walk soon. They advance so much between times we get to see them.

When we got back home, we had more soup and sandwiches for supper, and then settled in to relax in front of TV. First, we watched "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown," followed by favorite one-hour programs that I'd recorded on DVR.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Friday, February 13

Whoa! Friday the 13th! Well, it's 8:30 p.m. as I write this, and so far, the day has been good...busy, but good.

I started the morning at water aerobics, where the pool was nippy until I got used to it. After I got home and ready for the day, I spent the rest of the morning in various activities, including making phone calls, uploading photos from yesterday's Go Red Luncheon and sending them to the WDCS to be printed, choosing and sending a birthday e-card to a friend, etc.

After lunch, Hubbie and I ran errands...to a grocery store to take advantage of free and reduced price items, and to the WDCS to get deli meats, cheese and other items for the birthday lunch at Son's house tomorrow, and finally to pick up the barbecued ribs that Hubbie bought as a contribution to a school fundraising effort.

While we were at the WDCS, I wanted to get the optician at the optometrist's office to straighten out my eyeglasses. When I tried to put them on this morning, I found that they were sort of mangled. The only thing I could figure out to cause the damage was that yesterday, in the models' change area, someone must have stepped on my makeup bag, where I'd put my eyeglasses (in their case). Since there was no place else to put the bag, I had laid it on the floor.

Unfortunately, the optician was on lunch break and wasn't due to return until 3 p.m. So we completed our shopping, and then visited a gas station before coming back home. Later, we returned to the office, where I was told there is a broken piece in the bow of my glasses, and while they were able to temporarily straighten them, I will probably need to get a new pair. I guess it's fate's way of letting me know I'm overdue for an eye exam.

On the way to the optometrist's office, we stopped at a shop that carries a purse I used with one of the outfits I modeled yesterday. It is a black patent leather clutch purse with a bow front that I thought might look nice with a couple of my dressy outfits. I changed my mind about it, though, when I saw the $45 price tag. Thanks, but no thanks.

Back home, we gathered everything we'll need to take with us tomorrow, whereupon we realized we'd need more canned chicken broth to add to the recipe of chicken soup tomorrow. So after supper, off we went to a grocery store, again. While we were there, I picked up a couple of cartons of on-sale fat-free chocolate ice cream.

For supper, we had the barbecued ribs, with steamed new potatoes, zucchini, and yellow squash, topped with onions. After supper, Hubbie and I watched "Postal Inspector 2 - A Shred of Evidence," a year 2000, R-rated movie about identity theft I recorded from an Encore channel. It stars Louis Gossett Jr., Jonathan Silverman and Michael Madsen.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thursday, February 12

We slept late, and I skipped exercises this morning, so I could get ready to go to the Go Red Luncheon. I opted for a heartier breakfast, since I knew I would not have lunch until 1 p.m. or later. I made myself a cheese and mushroom omelet, boiled in a plastic freezer bag. and had two leftover low-fat biscuits and some cottage cheese with it. Hubbie stuck with a cereal breakfast.

By the time I showered, dressed, and gathered the clothes and other items I'd need for the fashion show, it was time to leave. We arrived at the college around 11 a.m. Several guys...the mayor, the high school principal, a doctor, etc., called "The Hearttrobs"...were dressed in black tuxedos, and they escorted us ladies to our assigned tables. Hubbie, dressed in his best dark suit, with white dress shirt and red tie, followed behind. Mother wore a red jacket over black slacks and white mock turtleneck shirt, and I wore black slacks, turtleneck shirt and a red jacket, with the chunky red and silver bead necklace that Hubbie gave me for Christmas.

I had plenty of time to browse the silent auction items, visit with friends, take pictures of the decorations, and some of the folks I know before I needed to go backstage and dress for the fashion show. At 11:30, those of us who were to model gathered in the "dressing room" (the theater part of the facility) on the other side of the wall from the event area.

As we were dressing, one of the models realized she had not remembered to bring her jewelry, so I loaned her my necklace, which matched her outfit nicely. Then there was an announcement that several cars were parked illegally and were in danger of being towed. Naturally, one of the vehicles belonged to one of the models. So she had to go deal with that. Then minutes before the fashion show was to begin, the lady who was to describe our outfits had a sudden urge to go potty. She hurried to locate a bathroom, and was back just in the nick of time.

Finally, we lined up to wait our turns to go onstage. After my turn, I rushed back to my changing area and got the second outfit on with seconds to spare. But I was unable to wear the drop earrings, because I couldn't find the hole in my right ear. So I went onstage without them. The lady describing our outfits mentioned them, then said "oops...she isn't wearing them."

When the fashion show was over, we donned our own clothes and joined the rest of the audience to enjoy the special speaker and the entertainment. I was served a plate of chicken salad, macaroni salad with a vinaigrette dressing, fresh fruit and rolls. Dessert was tiny red velvet cupcakes, sugar cookies in the shape of hearts, and chocolate covered strawberries. I opted for the strawberries.

After the program, Hubbie, Mother and I went "backstage" to gather the outfits I'd modeled. In so doing, we could not locate one of the pair of drop earrings. We searched everywhere, in my makeup bag, in pockets of the clothing, and, crawling on hands and knees, on the floor and under the theater seats. No dice. One of the event attendants said not to worry, the bank that sponsored the show would take care of it.

The event sponsors gave each of us who modeled a gift bag containing a large scented diffuser. The scent is supposed to last three months. It's very nice. Everyone in the audience was given a gift bag that contained a small scented candle, notebooks and pens, a purse size container of Bandaids, a small American Heart Association low-fat cookbook, and various heart disease awareness educational pamphlets, as well as a red-dress pin. Hubbie, Mother, and I each wore pins today that we'd gotten at the Go Red Luncheon last year.



At home, Hubbie and I changed out of our dress clothes and ran errands. Our first stop was to drop off the outfits to the store. The shop owner seemed unconcerned about the earrings. She invited me to check out her clearance racks, where items were marked 60 percent off. I found a casual tan jacket with gold threads, and a rust colored shiny button-up blouse that I liked.

I tried them on, and when I emerged to look in the three-way mirror, the shop owner asked if I liked the items. I said yes, these were in my style and colors. So she said they were on the house, as payment for modeling her clothes at the Go Red Luncheon. I was very surprised and delighted. She said it was her pleasure, because already some ladies had stopped by who were interested in buying a couple of the items I'd modeled.

I haven't patronized this shop in the past, but now I will...she has definitely acquired a new customer in me, especially at clearance sale time.

While we were at the shop, we learned that the shop owner's mother (who was there) is a sister-in-law to one of the ladies that is in our scrapbook club. She noted to us that another of our scrapbook members, the one who lost her husband and then expected to lose her son to cancer, in fact did lose that son three weeks ago. I wish we had known sooner. Tomorrow, I'll call and offer my belated condolences.

Also, while we were at the shop, the wife and co-owner of our favorite computer shop came in with her new baby. I was glad to get the chance to visit and see the little one, who looks like just like his dad.

From the dress shop, we stopped by the pharmacy to pick up one of my prescriptions, and then to another grocery store to buy on-sale grapes, before returning home.

For supper, we decided to have veggie turkey burgers (for Mother and me) and a hamburger for Hubbie...not the most well-rounded meal, but we were all more tired than hungry from our very active day.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Wednesday, February 11

A severe thunderstorm woke us up at 2:30 this morning. Small tree branches and gum balls pelted the roof in high winds, and it hailed. I turned on the TV, but all three of the regular news channels were off the air. So I turned to a channel in a town east of us.



The first thing announced was the winner of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, drat it. I wanted to watch the show, which I'd recorded on DVR, and try to see if I could pick the winner. Anyway, I learned we were in a tornado watch area, but the storm blew over in about an hour, and all was well.



However, Hubbie failed to set the alarm clock, so naturally we overslept, and I did not go to water aerobics. I did a session on the treadmill, instead. I spent the rest of the morning doing this and that...making reservations for an upcoming college/community theater collaborative effort play next week, contacting the coordinator of the hospice group to try to set a meeting for next week, and E-mailing members of Congress about including the arts in the stimulus package funding.

This afternoon, Hubbie and Mother went with me to the college where the Go Red Luncheon will be held, so I could rehearse the fashion show. Four of us will be modeling clothes...three heart attack survivors, and one other lady.

The room is already brightly decorated in red and white...red and white netting streams from a center point of the ceiling, the tables have white tablecloths, with red napkins, and the chair backs feature red covers. Centerpieces are very tall, clear vases with white-branch arrangements tucked down inside. Each chair holds a goodie bag of information and "stuff."

Before we started the fashion show rehearsal, we previewed the survivor video. The program coordinators, along with the high school students who filmed the video, did a good job of editing, so the three of us look and sound fine. I hope we'll be given a copy of the video.

What bothers me is how short the time is between models...it's going to be intense trying to change outfits in the short time allotted.

We got back home about 6:30 p.m., had supper, and then listened to the radio as our favorite college basketball team played, once again, to a disappointing loss. As usual, they started like Gang Busters in the first half, and then fizzled in the second half.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Tuesday, February 10

Right after breakfast, I hopped on the treadmill for 35 minutes and then did a resistance workout. As soon as I was ready for the day, I went to the dress shop to pick up the three outfits I'll be modeling at the Go Red Luncheon Thursday.



Mother came over after I got back home and joined us in watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which I had recorded on DVR last night. But, drat it, the channel I'd recorded only carried one hour of the program. After that, viewers were encouraged to go to a news channel to get the rest of the show. I didn't know that when I set the recorder. I don't remember the show being split up like that last year.



After lunch, I tried on the outfits I'll model, to get a feel for how long it'll take me to change between outfits. I hope someone will be in the dressing room to help the models get items off hangers, and then hang up the ones we take off. Otherwise, I'll personally just shed clothes and deposit them wherever until after the show, because there sure won't be time for neatness.



Tonight, I attended two meetings: one for visual arts at 5 p.m., and one for community theater at 7:30 p.m. It was cloudy when I left the house to go to the arts council meeting, but by the time I got to town, there came a frog strangling torrential rain. Fortunately, I had an umbrella with me, but I had to step up to my ankles into water rushing along the side of the street to get to the sidewalk.

An important item of business included encouraging arts members and others interested in the arts to contact members of Congress to urge them to support adding a provision for the National Endowment for the Arts in the proposed stimulus package.

Some argue that funding for the arts is wasteful, and that it would not create jobs or boost the economy. They consider it "fluff" money, going to such things as abstract-film festivals, unnecessary exhibits, etc. But the truth is that communities are enhanced by the arts, through things like museums and live theater, which tend to attract businesses, and thus draw tourism.

All sorts of folks work in the arts fields. I am one. As an artist-in-education, I have the opportunity to work part time in schools, teaching photography as an enhancement to physical science studies. It's a well-documented fact that students who are exposed to the arts become better students. Better students make better future citizens, who in turn will contribute to the betterment of society. An investment in the arts is not only an investment in the present, but it is an investment in the future.

Tomorrow, I will add my voice to the many who are sending E-mails to members of Congress through Americans for the Arts at: http://capwiz.com/artsusa/mailapp/ where there is a form letter, with sample talking points that can be used. Of course, individuals can construct their own, original letters, as well. I urge anyone interested in the arts to go online and send a positive E-mail today.

The meeting lasted about an hour, so I was home just after 6 p.m. to join Mother and Hubbie in a supper of pork chops, using a new recipe calling for onions, spices, and apple juice. These were served with baked potatoes and green beans.

At 7:30, I went to a community theater board meeting. The rain had stopped by the time I left the arts council meeting, but started back up again as I neared town for the community theater board meeting.

As is the case for everyone, the community theater is struggling with funding problems. So we spent the evening trying to come up with plans for fundraisers. It was about 9:30 p.m. before I got back home.



Interesting note: while entering Son's new cell phone number into Hubbie's cell phone address book yesterday, I discovered the new number is Sis's old number. Sis recently changed her number, but has not alerted everyone yet. When I told Son and Daughter-in-Law about this, Daughter-in-Law said that when she answered Son's phone a day or so ago, a nephew thought she was his mom (Sis), which made Daughter-in-Law think that Nephew was another nephew who now lives out of state, who might have miss-dialed.



Another cell phone story: some time ago, a family member lost his cell phone and searched everywhere without finding it. He decided to use his mother's cell phone to call his own phone to see if it rang somewhere in his house. He was surprised when it was answered by another family member, who was at a park , where the phone had obviously been dropped. What are the chances that a family member would find another family member's cell phone that way?

Monday, February 9, 2009

Monday, February 9

Started the day at water aerobics, where the pool was nice and warm. Since it was also sunny and mild this morning, 22 showed up for the session. By the time I got back home, it was overcast and windy, but still mild. Predictions were for possible thunderstorms later in the
evening.

Hubbie spent time in the yard this morning cleaning up around Mother's house and trimming some of her plants. After lunch, he ran errands. He returned with an electric rice cooker. I expressed a desire for one yesterday, when we had trouble getting a recipe of brown rice to cook properly on the electric stove.

I stayed home while Hubbie ran errands, but didn't accomplish anything. I just couldn't get motivated. There is no lack of things I could do around the house, but I don't want to get involved in a major project this week, since I have two big events to get ready for...the Go Red Luncheon and fashion show Thursday, and the family birthday party in another town on Saturday.


I got an e-mail from the Go Red Luncheon coordinator, who has set 4 p.m. Wednesday to do a run-through of the fashion show. So tomorrow I will need to pick up the outfits I'll be modeling from the store that is supplying them.


Otherwise, the afternoon was as uneventful as the morning. Mother came over around 3:30 p.m., and we tried a new recipe...a chicken and rice casserole. We had a problem getting the white rice we used to cook properly, though, in a recipe that called for it to be cooked with tomatoes and other vegetables and the chicken in a pan on top of the stove. We should have used the new rice cooker to pre-cook it and then add it to the recipe. The dish was tasty, though, once the rice finally did cook.

Later, Hubbie and I watched Presdent Obama's address to the nation.

After that, we watched the 1985 Encore movie, "Ladyhawke," starring Mattthew Broderick, Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfieffer. This PG-13 fantasy is the tale of the adventures of a 13th Century pickpocket (Broderick), and is based on a 700-year-old classic legend of a woman who is a hawk by day and a woman by night, and a man who is a man by day and a wolf by night.

The wind picked up and it rained this afternoon, but predicted thunderstorms did not come to pass, thank goodness.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday, February 8

Since it's Sunday, I skipped my exercises this morning. It was a typical Sunday, otherwise...reading the Sunday newspaper, programming the DVR for favorite shows and movies for the week, washing a few loads of laundry, etc.

For lunch, we had herbed chicken breasts, cooked in the slow cooker, and served with brown rice, gravy made from chicken broth, and whole kernel corn. We chose classical music to accompany lunch, particularly Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which was the focus of the movie, "The Copyist," that hubbie and I watched last night.

After lunch, Mother and I decided to take advantage of the unusually nice weather to go for a walk at the college lake. We noticed that since we walked there last fall, a disc golf course has been installed on the hills and meadows of the grounds around the lake, where there are disc baskets, and signs announcing the number of each "hole." We wondered how many discs find their way into the lake.

After we got back, Mother went home, and Hubbie and I settled in to watch a couple of movies. One was called "Zodiac," about the 22-year hunt for the San Francisco Bay area Zodiac killer. This 2007 PG-13 movie is said to be based on actual case files.

Then we watched "Next," a 2007 PG-13 action/suspense movie starring Nicholas Cage as a man who can see two minutes into the future, and becomes a person of interest to authorities who want to capture him so he can reveal enemy plans.